The Myth About African-Americans and the Outdoors

Pictured above: Carolyn Finney. Photo provided by Carolyn Finney.

Carolyn Finney, Ph.D., is the guest on this edition of “Behind the Editor’s Curtain” with Don Corrigan. Finney is the author of “Black Faces, White Spaces: Reimagining the Relationship of African Americans to the Great Outdoors.”

Speaking about the absence of African-Americans engaging in outdoor activities portrayed in popular culture, such as in movies and magazines:

“Just because we don’t see any (African-Americans) doesn’t mean there aren’t any. That’s myth number one,” Finney said. “Actually, black people, like everybody else, have been around doing everything like everybody else since the beginning of the time. You have black mariners, you have black hikers, you have black people camping – I mean black people have been doing it too.”

The topic of discussion is the relationship between the black community and outdoor spaces and related activities, like national parks, hiking, and mountain climbing.

To find out more about Carolyn Finney, visit her website by CLICKING HERE.

To hear the interview with Carolyn Finney and Don Corrigan click on the audio below.